The Governor of Kano state, Umar Abdullahi Ganguje has called for introduction of weighbridges along major highways in the country in order to control axle load violation, saying Kano state is prepared to collaborate with relevant stakeholders including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure obedience to traffic rules and regulations in the state. The Governor made the call while receiving the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi at the Government House Kano over the weekend.
In a press release by Bisi Kazeem, Head Media Relations and Strategy, Oyeyemi was in the state in continuation of his monitoring of the FRSC’s special Easter patrol in the North-western parts of the country, commiserated with the government and people of the state on the recent fire incident that occurred in the state.
According to Ganduje, there is the need for concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders to deal with the challenges which axle loading violation by truck and trailer drivers pose to the functionality of vehicles and degradation of the road. He further noted that for effective control of axle load violation in the country, relevant stakeholders must work together through introduction of weighbridges on major highways to subject vehicles to weighing to determine those that exceeded the capacity of their vehicles so that appropriate sanctions could be meted out to them to serve as deterrence to others
On the fire incident, the Governor thanked the Corps Marshal for visiting not only to commiserate with the government, but choosing the state as one of his monitoring points in the ongoing FRSC’s special Easter patrol. The Governor further noted that the action was an indication of the Corps Marsha’s commitment to issues of road safety and the importance which the Management of the FRSC attaches to Kano state in its crash reduction strategies in the country.
He informed the Corps Marshal that the state government has commissioned a Board of enquiry into the causes of the fire incident, assuring that adequate measures are being taken to avert future reoccurrence. Ganduje assured the Corps Marshal of the readiness of the state government to collaborate with the FRSC on all road safety matters with a view to making Kano state free of traffic menace. He noted that while the piece of land donated by the state government to the FRSC for construction of its office accommodation in the state was ready, government looks forward to the foundation laying ceremony and subsequent commissioning of the project to give the command in the state a befitting office accommodation.
Earlier in his remarks, the Corps Marshal while commiserating with the Governor on the fire incident stated that he was in the state in continuation of his monitoring of the FRSC’s Easter special patrol. He commended the state government for its support to the FRSC, disclosing that work on the planned establishment of Number plates Mini plant for the state is nearing completion and when fully operational, would address the challenges of the state in travelling all the way to Lagos to get replacement for lost number plates or defaced ones
Describing Kano as “a road safety friendly state,” Oyeyemi appealed to the Governor to expedite action on the land given to the Corps by the state government to constrict its office accommodation in the state, saying the present office of the FRSC in the state is no more conducive for efficient and effective administrative and operational activities.
As part of his activities in the state, the Corps Marshal and members of his entourage paid a condolence visit to the family of late Corps Commander Umar Ajingi (rtd) who died recently. Commiserating with the family, Oyeyemi expressed shock over the death of the officer he described as loyal, dedicated and friendly to all his superior and subordinate staff in the course of his service with the FRSC. While praying God to grant his soul eternal rest, he assured the family that the Corps will not abandon them at this period of trial, but continue to render necessary support to give hope to the children he left behind.
Kabiru Sule who received the Corps Marshal on behalf of the family, thanked him for his moral support and the solidarity shown by the entire FRSC staff and Management since the sad incident occurred. He prayed for safe return of the Corps Marshal and members of his entourage and expressed the appreciation of the family to the kind gesture of the FRSC personnel.
